MH-60S Knighthawk

US Navy MH-60S Knighthawk

The MH-60S Knighthawk is a hybrid consisting of a UH-60L Black Hawk airframe mixed with navalized components and avionics. MH-60S helicopters are a replacement for the US Navy's ageing fleet of H46, H2 and the MH-53E minesweeping helicopter.

Primary roles for the MH-60S include troop transport, ship-to-ship cargo transport, minesweeping, special operations support and combat search and rescue operations (CSAR).

The MH-60S features a 'glass cockpit' featuring 4 multi-function displays (MFDs) designed to be readable in direct sunlight or via night vision goggles. Displaying a wide array of mission-specific information, such as sensor data, navigation data, mission info and flight control info, these MFDs help to reduce the crew's workload and to function more efficiently.

When configured for special ops support or CSAR missions, the MH-60S is armed with crew-served M240D 7.62mm or M2 .50 cal machine guns.

MH-60S Specifications

The MH-60S features a cargo hook capable of lifting 9000lb in underslung loads.

Crew	4 - Pilot, Co-pilot & 2 crew/door-gunners
Engines	2 Two General Electric T700-GE-401-C 1,900 hp engines
Dimensions	L - 17.1m W (rotorspan) - 14.1m H - 4.4m
Weights	6,114 kg (empty) 9,967 kg (max loadout)
Max Speed	296 kph
Range	463 km
Armament	7.62mm or .50 cal crew-served machine guns
Avionics	Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Missile/Laser Warning System (MWS)/(LWS) Radar Warning System (RWS) Infrared countermeasures Countermeasures dispensing system Digital moving map Tactical data link Enhanced Advanced Flight Control System (AFCS) Hover Infrared Suppressor System (HIRSS) Integrated Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) Sonar mine detection system Airborne laser mine detection system Airborne mine neutralization system

MH-60S glass cockpit features 8"x10" MFDs that display sensor, planning and navigation data.

USMC FAST teams fast-rope down from a MH-60S helicopter. Supporting Special Ops is one of the MH-60s roles.

MH-60S FEATURES

all-weather capability
crashwoirthy crew and troop seating
titanium-coated rotor blades capable of surviving hits from 23mm bullets
rescue hoist
hover in-flight refueling (HIFR)
underwater locator beacon provision
'glass' cockpit
redundant flight control system
self-sealing fuel tanks

US Navy MH-60S SeaHawk helicopter.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Lange

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